Coverage on Election Results 2012

While Congress managed to bag Himachal Pradesh, Narendra Modi's hat-trick in Gujarat is seen to be having national implications. Modi has in his own words conquered the state yet again on the basis of 'good governance'. With the General Elections approaching, the political debate on Rahul Gandhi versus Narendra Modi for the post of Prime Minister has heated up again. Will Modi's victory propel him to the centre?

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01:52 PM

Narendra Modi sworn in as Gujarat CM for the fourth time on December 26.

By claiming that he owes his victory to 'development' that transcends caste and community, Modi wants to foster the narrative that sees growth and prosperity as being divorced from the practice and discourse of politics. The real world, however, is not so simple.

Poll Humour: Preparing for 'results'

How voters painted the map in Gujarat

Modi is said to have been positioning himself over the past few months for being named as his party's prime ministerial candidate and, analysts say, his hat-trick has made him the natural claimant for the post.

How expansive is Modi's popularity when one leaves Gujarat? It is sobering that the surge in interest and possible backing for him in the past two or three years is largely due to the failures of the UPA government, says Ashok Malik, a political commentator.

They comprise people who, according to sociologists, are neither aam aadmi nor have the characteristic traits of second or third-generation middle classes influenced by ideas such as secularism, liberal values, high levels of religious tolerance, etc.

Modi's inevitable and now unstoppable rise to national leadership of his party invites us to think if what is popular is always democratic. Is Moditva compatible with the idea of a democratic and diverse India, questions Yogendra Yadav, National executive member, Aam Aadmi Party.

Modi garlanded ahead of his speech

Modi set to deliver his victory speech

Narendra Modi arrives to address his supporters

Modi in blogpost: In the coming years we will continue serving our people, create opportunities for each and every one of you to prosper. We will build a Gujarat where not only you are happy but also where your future generations lead a life of happiness. The journey towards a Bhavya and Divya Gujarat has just begun!

05:33 PM

Modi in blogpost: Our government’s economic policies have enabled them to taste the fruits of development and scale new heights of prosperity.

05:31 PM

Modi in blogpost: In every instance of Gujarat’s development there is the mammoth contribution, hardwork and sweat of the people of Gujarat.

05:29 PM

Modi in blogpost: The need of the hour is to stand united as 6 crore Gujaratis

05:29 PM

Modi in blogpost: By placing the development agenda above everything and by comprehensively rejecting the partisan agenda of casteism, votebank politics as well as divide and rule, the people of Gujarat have created a historic example in the eyes of the entire nation.

05:28 PM

Modi in blogpost: This victory is the story of the sacrifices and determination of lakhs of our Karyakartas

05:27 PM

Modi in blogpost: Gujarat has shattered this cliché and demonstrated to the world that if you have the urge to serve our Motherland and the ability to overcome any obstruction come what may, then you will be given that opportunity to work irrespective of what dynasty or community you belong to!

05:26 PM

Modi in blogpost: These elections are a victory of Gujarat’s model of Sarvasparshi (all pervasive), Sarvasamaveshak (inclusive) and Sarvangi (holistic) model of development and good governance.

05:24 PM

Modi in a blogpost: The results of the 2012 Gujarat Assembly elections have yet again established the victory of development politics and good governance over everything else!

05:18 PM

Gujarat has written a new chapter with a new language in the annals of Indian politics - one that rewards unity, harmony &Vikas!

Himachal Elections: At 84, Vidya Stokes is the oldest winner in Himachal Pradesh and has won in the assembly elections for the eighth time.

Modi for PM?

Adi Godrej compliments BJP and Narendra Modi

Adi Godrej, President, CII complimented BJP and the leadership of Chief Minister Narendra Modi on their victory in Gujarat. The stability in the State would enhance confidence of the Industry and herald new investments.

04:13 PM

Gun-toting Congress MP, Vitthal Radadia wins from Dhoraji seat

Radadiya hit the news for his 'gun-toting' act at a poll plaza on a national highway apparently to evade paying road tax when his vehicle was stopped by employees there.

04:12 PM

Arun Jaitley: Don't agree that Prem Kumar Dhumal's factor did not work in HP

04:10 PM

Arun Jaitley: Congress tried to run a malicious campaign for the past 11 years, hasn't worked

04:10 PM

Internal organizational questions will be answered at the appropriate time: Arun Jaitley on Modi as BJP's PM candidate

Keshubhai Patel: Modi came to take my blessings, I congratulated him and we gave sweets to each other

03:59 PM

BJP secures majority in Gujarat as the party wins 92 seats in the 182-member state Assembly

03:57 PM

BJP workers celebrate

BJP workers celebrate at party headquarters in Khanpur, Ahmedabad as news of the party's victory was announced during poll results. (BCCL)

03:55 PM

Keshubhai Patel congratulates Narendra Modi

03:54 PM

Narendra Modi meets Keshubhai Patel

03:51 PM

HP elctions: Adi Godrej congratulates incoming Government led by Congress

Adi Godrej, CII President congratulated the incoming Government led by Congress. The clear mandate provides a great opportunity for the new government to take necessary and bold measures for development of infrastructure and industrial clusters in the State. CII looks forward to working very closely with the new government.

Himachal Pradesh polls: Counting in Shimla

Congress gets absolute majority in Himachal Pradesh

02:53 PM

Sonia Gandhi says happy with Himachal Pradesh results

02:49 PM

Gadkari thanks Gujaratis for BJP's victory

"Gujarat has given preference to the politics of development and the (BJP) government has in the country enhanced its prestige as a role model. The people of Gujarat have again chosen BJP under Narendra bhai for the development of the state," Gadkari said.

02:44 PM

The more Rahul campaigns, the more seats Congress loses

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02:42 PM

Gujarat election trends at 2:42 PM

02:32 PM

Amitabh Bachchan congratulates Narendra Modi for win

Hindi cinema star Amitabh Bachchan today greeted Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for securing a third consecutive win in the just concluded polls. "I congratulate him," was his response when reporters sought his reaction over Modi's win. Bachchan was here to attend the valedictory of the 10th Chennai International Film Festival.

People want to hear Modi's vision at 5:00 PM

Supporters of BJP celebrate Modi's victory

Supporters BJP wear masks of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi as they celebrate to reports that their party is leading in the Gujarat assembly elections. AP

01:46 PM

Gujarat Elections: BJP touches 120 leads/wins

01:44 PM

Supporters hold posters of Narendra Modi

Supporters of BJP hold posters of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi while celebrating to reports stating their party is leading in the Gujarat assembly elections in Ahmedabad. (AP)

01:43 PM

Gujarat Congress president Arjun Modhwadia loses Porbandar seat

Gujarat Congress president Arjun Modhwadia, seeking third consecutive term from Porbandar constituency, was defeated by his BJP rival Babu Bokhiria by a margin of 17,146 votes.Modhwadia, who had spearheaded a sustained and aggressive campaign against BJP, polled 60,458 votes while Bokhiria secured 77,604 votes.Modhwadia had won 2002 and 2007 polls from this constituency. He had defeated Bokhiria in the last elections.

01:42 PM

Congress goes down further, Modi sweeps Gujarat

01:42 PM

All the constituencies where Rahul Gandhi campaigned, in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, Congress has won

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01:41 PM

Gujarat: BJP likely to get more than 120 seats

01:40 PM

It is the verdict of the people

-

01:39 PM

Shweta Bhatt's reaction after losing to Modi - Did not expect defeat, tried to help everyone in Maninagar

In Gandhidham (SC), Maheshwari Vacchraj of BJP leads over Jayshree Chavda by over 2300 votes

12:09 PM

In Rapar, Babulal Gada of Congress leads over Vaghji Patel of BJP by more than 700 votes

12:09 PM

In Mandvi, Tarachand Cheda of BJP leads over Kishoresinh Parmar of Congress by over 5700 votes

12:08 PM

SP, BSP and LJP set for a dismal performance as most of their candidates fail to get more than 1,000 votes

12:08 PM

In Bhuj, Amirali Lodhiya of Congress leads over Nima Acharya of BJP by over 4000 vote

12:07 PM

Reduced BJP numbers in Gujarat. Cong right in claiming victory?

Yes

No

Can't say

12:02 PM

Why is Modi not able to defeat us in the country, asks Salman Khurshid

12:01 PM

On Idar (SC) seat Ramanlal Vora of BJP leads over Ramabhai Solanki of Congress by over 4400 votes

12:01 PM

In Himmatnagar, Rajubhai Chavda of Congress leads over Praful Patel of BJP by 8800 over votes

12:00 PM

In Gujarat, BJP had made tall claims that it will get 150 seats. But it has now been proved that Congress has emerged stronger and BJP is weak now

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11:59 AM

Gujarat election proves it is not open skies for Modi: Congress

11:55 AM

In Mansa, Gujarat, Amit Chaudhary of Congress leads over DD Patel of BJP by over 4200 votes

11:52 AM

Sonia Gandhi to decide party's CM in Himachal: Virbhadra Singh

Congress veteran Virbhadra Singh said that he had put in his "best efforts" in the polls and it was for Sonia Gandhi to decide the party's Chief Minister."I had been given the brief to bring the party back to power and for that I had put in my best efforts. It is for our national leader Sonia Gandhi to decide who will become the Chief Minister," Singh said while speaking to reporters here. A five-time Chief Minister, Singh said the initial trends indicate that the Congress would form its government in the hill state.

11:49 AM

Ravi Shankar Prasad: According to the conventional political tradition in Himachal, it is one time BJP, another time Congress

11:46 AM

Ravi Shankar Prasad: We are proud of good governance record of Prem Kumar Dhumal

11:46 AM

BJP defends HP performance, says rebels added to loss

11:37 AM

There is no comparison between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Modi at the national stage

Central Gujarat, the original Congress stronghold, has been breached by Modi

In Dahod district, both BJP and Congress leading on three assembly seats each

These are still trends, not results. However, contrary to expectations about it being a close contest, Congress will win Himachal convincingly. And in conformity with expectations, BJP will win Gujarat. More attention has focused on Gujarat than on Himachal. In the former, 117 is more of a psychological threshold. The broader point is the following. To what extent do economic issues (inflation, growth, employment, development, corruption) influence outcome of elections (as opposed to caste, religion)? Are answers different for State-level elections and Parliamentary contests and are answers changing as urbanization and development occur? Had corruption and anti-incumbency been important, Himachal should have voted otherwise. For Gujarat, BJP hasn’t done that well in North Gujarat. Saurashtra/Kutch doesn’t seem to be a major differentiator. While one can quibble about development (social sector indicators) in Gujarat, there is no debate North Gujarat hasn’t performed that well. I would interpret the Gujarat results as message that development now needs to percolate to North Gujarat. On implications for Narendra Modi’s acceptance and appeal outside Gujarat and Parliamentary elections, I think speculation is still premature.

Gujarat Elections: Sources in the state election office said BJP was leading in 109 constituencies, Congress in 61, NCP one and others in four

Pandya's family had blamed Modi for the murder of Haren Pandya, who was twice elected from the seat.

10:35 AM

Modi confidante and minister Anandiben Patel was leading in Ghatlodia, but minister and state government spokesman Jaynarayan Vyas was trailing in Siddhpur.

10:35 AM

BJP's Amit Shah leading from Naranpura

10:32 AM

Gujarat polls: Godhra breached by BJP

10:31 AM

On Bharuch seat, Dushyant Patel of BJP leads by over 9000 votes against INC’s Sandeep Mangrola

10:29 AM

Dabangg 3: Will it be a hat-trick for Narendra Modi?

10:28 AM

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the victory in Gujarat polls "makes Narenda Modi unstoppable in the BJP. He is very important Chief Minister for BJP but that has nothing to do with his national acceptability".

10:28 AM

Buoyed by the trends in Gujarat, BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said, "let us understand BJP is winning for the third time over and Congress is losing for the fifth time".

10:28 AM

Dhumal: BJP's performance declined due to factionalism in the party

10:27 AM

While Congress was leading on 28 seats, BJP after initial gains, slowed down to 18 seats in Himachal Pradesh's 68 member legislative assembly.

10:25 AM

In the outgoing Assembly in Himachal Pradesh, BJP had 41 and and Congress 23

Celebrations outside Virbhadra Singh's residence in Shimla

Smriti Irani thanks voters

Gujarat Elections: GPP president Keshubhai Patel leading

Looks like we are going to get more than we expected

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10:00 AM

Bookies feel Modi won't even score 100. Agree?

Yes

No

Can't say

09:59 AM

Himachal CM confident of second term

09:58 AM

BJP: Trends indicate people are rejecting Congress

With early trends indicating that the BJP was leading in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, BJP today said it is a vote for corruption-free good governance and showed that the people are rejecting Congress.BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said early trends indicate that the BJP is returning to power in both Gujarat and Himachal."It is a vote for corruption-free good governance and it showed that the people are rejecting Congress," he said.The BJP was leading in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh over Congress in the assembly elections for which the counting of votes began today.

09:57 AM

Bookies bet that Modi will get less than 100 seats

09:56 AM

Gujarat Elections: BJP 92, Congress 47, GPP 2, NCP 1

09:55 AM

Narendra Modi ahead by 16330 margin

09:54 AM

Narendra Modi is everybody's favourite punching bag in Indian politics

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09:51 AM

BJP: Give due credit to Narendra Modi

09:50 AM

Himachal Elections: Congress leading in 37 seats, BJP in 19

09:49 AM

Modi will be CM. Party will decide PM candidate but if they choose Modi, country will develop like Gujarat has

-

09:49 AM

Congress vote share up 3% from last time

09:48 AM

Himachal Elections: Congress leading in 32 seats, BJP in 21

09:47 AM

Sweets being distributed at Congress office in Shimla

09:45 AM

Poll Humour: Modi for PM?

09:44 AM

BJP: We will win 2/3rd majority in Gujarat

09:44 AM

We have fulfilled our promises and I am sure BJP will form a government again in Himachal Pradesh

-

09:43 AM

Gujarat Congress chief Arjun Modhwadia is trailing his BJP rival in Porbandar,
while Gordhan Zadafia, general secretary of Gujarat Parivartan Party is also
behind his BJP rival in Gondal

09:41 AM

Gujarat: The crucial Saurashtra trends

09:36 AM

Swaminathan Aiyar: Given that BJP is an incumbent it has done very well

09:34 AM

Analysing Himachal Pradesh trends

09:33 AM

Modi leads by over 7000 votes in Maninagar

09:31 AM

Trends in Modi's hometown cluster

09:29 AM

Modi has changed the landscape of politics in India: BJP

09:28 AM

Congress: Need serious introspection in Himachal Pradesh

09:27 AM

Keenly watched contest in Bhavnagar

09:25 AM

It is now certain that the BJP will carry both the states, an indication of things to come in the future

Himachal Pradesh: Dhumal hopes to buck anti-incumbency

Is Narendra Modi good for Muslims?

Gujarat, Himachal verdict: Counting begins

This week's "Poke Me", invites your comments on Why Narendra Modi is good for Muslims. The feature will be reproduced on the edit page of the Saturday edition of the newspaper with a pick of readers' best comments.

08:23 AM

What Exit polls predict

08:22 AM

Narendra Modi tweets ahead of counting, “No need to look behind.”

The assembly elections were virtually a three-way fight with rebel BJP leader Keshubhai Patel, a former Chief Minister, launching his political outfit Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP) months ahead of the polls and main Opposition Congress running a sustained and aggressive campaign against Modi. Congress had lost power in the key western state in 1990.

08:16 AM

Chief Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third straight term in office and pollsters have predicted a landslide for BJP. A big win will viably consolidate Modi's position in his party.

08:13 AM

As many as 33,49,948 voters including 16,47.156 men and 17,02,790 women had exercised their franchise in the one-day polling on November 4 last. There are 106 independents and 26 women in the fray and the ruling BJP and Congress have contested all seats.

08:13 AM

In Himachal, the fate of 459 candidates will be decided tomorrow including that of Chief Minister P.K.Dhumal, ten cabinet ministers, HPCC chief V B Singh, state BJP chief Satpal Singh Satti, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Vidya Stokes, 64 sitting MLAs and over dozens of former ministers and MLAs.

08:13 AM

Electoral fate of 1,666 candidates in Gujarat including that of Modi, his cabinet colleagues, Congress stalwarts like party's state president Arjun Modhwadia, Leader of Opposition Shaktisinh Gohil and former Chief Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela would be decided.

08:13 AM

Election Commission sources said in Ahmedabad that postal ballots would be taken up during the first half-hour of counting followed by 2,71,58,626 votes cast in the two phases of polling.

08:12 AM

Counting of votes for Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh polls underway

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